Mary Blossom could not answer. Her silence was prayer. It was all of which she was capable at that time.
"I don't know what the matter was in the barn, mother," again cried Rose, in an agony of fear. "Chi did n't tell us all, I 'm sure. Let me go through the tunnel and find out, do, mother!"
"Oh, Rose, I can't--I can't!" Mrs. Blossom spoke under her breath.
"Please, mother. It 's all safe, and the wind has gone down a little since Chi went; let me go--I can't rest till I do. You can hold the light at the shed door end and I won't be gone but a minute or two. I 'll take the dark lantern with me--Oh, mother! do, do--!"
"Well, Rose, perhaps it's for the best. I 'll watch you through."
"May I watch, too?" asked Hazel, eagerly.
"No, dear, I want you to stay here in case the children should wake. Come, Rose."
They were gone but a few minutes; then Mrs. Blossom came in followed by her daughter. The girl's teeth were chattering; she looked blue and pinched.
"What did you find, Rose?" Her mother's voice was scarce above a whisper.
"I found Fleet!"